The Producers (1968)

I swear, this is the last Gene Wilder or Mel Brooks movie I will talk about for a while (probably). So, let's get this show on the road. The Producers, it's old, it's funny, it's crazy, and there have been a musical, and a remake since it's original release. The movie stars Zero Mostel as Max Bialystock, a washed up Broadway producer who now makes bad plays and swindles old women out of money to fund them. One day, Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), an accountant, shows up at Bialystock's office to check his books. While looking over them, he notices Bialystock's last play only cost $58,000 and he raised $60,000. This left Max profiting with $2000 on a play that only lasted 1 day on Broadway. Using this information, Bloom discovers a way for Bialystock to make a million dollars off of one bad play by producing it cheaply, and profiting off it not doing well.

Though not enthused with the idea, Bloom is talked into taking part with some encouragement from Bialystock. The two then plan to make the worst play ever imagined, based on the "softer" side of Hitler, written by an ex-Nazi. The two pick the worst script, the worst director, and the worst actors they could find, all in the pursuit of cash. The plot twists when the play does surprisingly well despite it's main focus, and the two producers fret for their freedom as they face jail time for fraud.

The movie is fairly dated, but the characters are still well written and fun to watch. Mostel is a bit crazy and an excellent con man. On the other hand, Wilder plays a neurotic, twitchy man, who was easily conned and has plenty of odd quirks about him. Mel Brooks really puts together a winner in this film that goes back over 40 years. It's a movie that predates Wilder's appearance as Willy Wonka (1971), and look at how well that movie has aged. The Producers certainly is in no way as timeless of a classic as Wonka, but Wilder's acting is on par with his role as Willy Wonka.

The Producers is rated PG and Netflix suggests it should be investigated by parents before they let their younger children attend. It's doubtful a lot of younger children will really be interested, but the zany characters may capture their attention long enough for them to finish the film.The older you are, the more likely you are to enjoy this film. If you like Mel Brooks, you will catch some of his trademark movie making with this one, and you will not be disappointed. Enjoy the film!